June 8, 2010 - BAY CITY, MI—A resident of West Branch, Michigan and his son, have been charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to threaten to assault, kidnap, or murder a United States Official, namely U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak, in connection with his official duties, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
Named in the complaint were Russell Hesch, 73, of West Branch, Michigan and his son David Hesch, 50 of Loveland, Colorado. Both have been arrested and will be appearing in federal court in Bay City, Michigan and Denver, Colorado, respectively.
According to the complaint, Russell Hesch had been upset over Congressman Stupak’s vote in favor of the Health Care Reform Bill which was signed on March 21, 2010. Russell Hesch sent a letter to his son David Hesch in Colorado and David Hesch then forwarded that letter to Congressman Stupak’s office in Menomiee, Michigan. The letter threatened to injure Congressman Stupak and his family for Stupak’s support of the recent health care legislation.
A conviction of this offense carriers a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. Any sentence will ultimately be imposed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines according to the nature of the offense and the criminal background, if any, of the defendants.
A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on a felony charge in a complaint. When the investigation is completed a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Capitol Police and by Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Colby Tanase.
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